Model text: Recognizing hobby hunting as recreational violence

1. Postulate

The cantonal government is tasked with presenting a report outlining the extent to which hobby hunting in the canton (...) should be classified as a form ofrecreational violence against animals. The report must examine in particular,

• whether hobby hunting fulfils the constituent elements of recreational violence – namely the intentional infliction of pain, suffering and death on sentient animals without compelling necessity and primarily to satisfy a recreational need
• what scientific findings exist regarding thepsychological dimensionof recreational hunting, particularly whether the regular exercise of violence against animals produces desensitization effects
• what concrete measures the canton can take to gradually reduce the recreational component of hobby hunting
• what the actual social acceptance of hobby hunting in the canton is and whether a representative survey should be conducted

2. Brief justification

Hobby hunting is fundamentally a recreational activity in which sentient wild animals are intentionally killed. The recreational hunters themselves define hunting as 'passion' and 'tradition'. In no other area of Swiss society is the intentional killing of animals for recreational purposes considered acceptable. Bullfighting, cockfighting, dogfighting – all banned or outlawed. Hobby hunting enjoys exceptional status that can no longer be justified in a modern society committed to the dignity of creatures (Art. 120 Para. 2 Federal Constitution).

• DossierEnd recreational violence against animals
• CategoryPsychology & Hunting
• DossierThe hunting license